Gujjars stir: Officials told to implement HC's order

Jaipur: The Rajasthan government today directed the district administration and police officers in four districts to evacuate Gujjar agitators from railway tracks and highways in compliance of a High Court order.

"The directions were given to Jaipur and Bharatpur range IGs and collectors of Bharatpur, Dausa, Karauli and Sawaimadhopur to clear the blockade and restore highways and rail tracks," state Home Minister Gulabchand Kataria told PTI.

"The agitators will be convinced to clear the highways peacefully and I hope that they would respect the court's order," he said. Bharatpur district collector Ravi Jain said the orders have been communicated to the district administration and police officers.

"We are serving notices to the agitation leaders and they will be convinced to clear the tracks," Jain said. Bharatpur Inspector General of Police Biju George Joseph said that compliance of the orders will be ensured today.

Meanwhile, a delegation of Gujjar leaders is scheduled to resume talks with a committee of ministers here in the evening. Himmat Singh, Spokesperson of the Gujjar Arakshan Sangharsh committee, said earlier in the day that they have demanded a written draft of the government's proposal which will be handed over to the Gujjars in the meeting this evening.

He was not available for a comment on the High Court's direction. The Gujjars blocked Delhi-Mumbai railway track in Pilukapura in Bharatpur on Thursday last week, when they began the agitation, and later blocked the NH-11 at Sikandara in Dausa and a state highway in Sawaimadhopur district.

Some areas in Karauli are also affected, police said. Gujjars are demanding five per cent reservation within the legal limit of 50 per cent. The agitating Gujjars, led by Bainsla, held the first round of talks in Bayana of Bharatpur town on Saturday lastweek which was inconclusive and the second meeting between the two sides was held last night in Jaipur.

The high court today gave the directions and also summoned the DGP and Chief Secretary with compliance report tomorrow.